Monday morning its back to business as usual thankfully. Most have their power
back and the international, national, regional and local finger pointing had
begun. The implications had tied up the news for the weekend as everything was
about those still without power. On the local news though AJ and Michaelís ice
delivery to the elderly and infirm had been the plus side of the disaster.
While there are stories like that going on all over, the Quartermaine last
name meant that the story had been picked up by the network and even made the
national news. When AJ checks his messages at work on Monday not a single one
have anything to do with building permits.

When Gia arrives at the office the first thing she does is shed her suit
jacket revealing a sleeveless dress. Itís still hotter than heck and hard to
believe that sheíd soon be going back to university for her last year of law
school. The summer had flown by working with Dara and troubleshooting the
Public Relations of the Stallions. AJís sudden high profile with Meals on
Wheels had put the team on notice that nothing less would be accepted from the
team and the players. The League and United Way had both been in contact with
the teamís front office.

As soon as Gia has shed her jacket and set down her briefcase, Mary Bishop
hands her the stack of pink messages. "Someone over at the Stallions was up
early to beat the heat. Theyíve left a ton of messages on the machine and the
phone was ringing when I came in."

Gia groans and already knows that her schedule for the day is going to be
blown to hell. What is going to happen when she goes back to school? These
guys were getting used to her. With preseason kicking into high gear, the
mantra over at the team offices is Let Gia handle it if it involved
anything but a diagramed scrimmage play. "What next?"

"Iím so glad you asked." Mary says with a smile.

"It was a rhetorical question. I didnít mean it. I take it back!" Gia declares
quickly.

"No take backs." Mary reaches into the bottom drawer of her desk and pulls out
the latest edition of the Inquisitor. Lady Lydiaís Baby Bump is
the headline along with a front page picture that takes up 3/4 of the tabloid.
Lydia looks absolutely gorgeous and obviously pregnant in her skimpy bikini.
The shot had been taken just after she and Michael had gotten on the
Quartermaine boat. She is helping Michael with his life vest and both of them
are applying sun block. AJ is unfastening the lines from the dock. Taking the
rag from Mary, Gia quickly scans the little article which is about the way
celebrities were beating the August heat with no electricity. The press had
been on bump watch since AJ and Lydiaís marriage but this is the first real
proof. "She looks gorgeous. I canít believe sheís wearing a bikini though."

"Demi Moore broke that barrier all to hell." Gia winces as she scans the rest
of the photos. There is nothing bad. But AJ and Lydia had been doing their
best to shut down the press and keep them away from Michael. And this is all
so very normal but itís on the front page of the tabloid complete with an
inside spread. Just like AJís helping out with ice, because of Lydiaís money
this is going to be blown all out of proportion on two different continents.
"Although with Lydiaís luck, sheís going to make some best dressed list for
the blackout. And there will be all kinds of stories about how they had
to get married."

"Who had to get married?" Dara asks as she walks thru the door. Gia holds up
the Inquisitor. "Oh lovely. Anything libelous?"

"Nope. All looks good." Gia admits.

"Then it is not our problem." Dara sighs cheerfully as she lets it go. "Iím
just here to pick up some files. Iíll check in between cases." Dara heads back
to her office grabs her files and heads back out.

"We need more help." Gia tells Mary.

"I know." Because Mary is an organizational wiz she has everything she can
control under control even Giaís schedule of classes due to start in just a
couple of weeks. She knows as soon as Gia heads back to school her time is
going to be severely limited even if the younger woman did all her studies
here. "I can handle the basic billing and do the office manager type things
but the real estate side of the practice is really beefed up since I started.
Need help there. An accountant would be great and if it happened to be a real
estate lawyer who was also a CPA."

"You donít want much." Gia laughs.

"At least two more paralegalsĖ for a start."

"Daraís going to need a bigger office space." Gia looks around. "This has been
coming really since she took over all of Alexisí files. Slow growth went out
the window." She sighs. "I know Iím being greedy but I was kind of hoping that
Iíd be the partner. By the time I get out of school and pass the bar, Iím
going to be way down the seniority list." Taking a seat in one of the chairs
normally reserved for the clients in the reception area, Gia cocks her head to
the side. "Youíve already got a plan."

"A couple of them." Mary admits. "One thing about moving around so much with
Connor and the Marines and then working temp agencies after he was killed... I
did get to see a lot of different law firms. The temp agencies will be able to
help with the paralegals and even property management if Dara wants to go
there but we may be able to do some informal head hunting on some of the firms
I used to work at. Associates who are good but who arenít going to make
partner in the next decade because theyíre in firms with good names but where
advancement only happens when someone dies. Maybe someone just coming off of
clerking for a Judge."

"You think you can block some time for everybody to go over everything?"

Mary rolls her eyes. "Only if it involves lunch or because Iím sure things are
going to be a disaster down at the courts with the unplanned long weekend...
dinner."

The mall is back up and running. It had to be, they are in the midst of the
Back to School sales. All the latest styles and colors of sweaters and heavy
boots nobody will be wearing because the temps are still up in the 90s. In
many cases a summerís worth of earnings are going to be going right back into
the mall coffers as teenagers spend everything they made for the kewlest
clothes and gadgets for the fall.

Since there are few days of freedom left the gang gathers at the food court:
Lucas, Georgie, Maxie, Dillon and Kyle. Their table is busy as everyone they
know funnels through doing the same thing. Getting the meet and greet out of
the way and making sure that nobody is wearing the same thing on the very
first day of school.

Dillon is the local celebrity
right now because everyone seems to know that MTV has been hanging at his house for the last few weeks. Course it isnít
like Spring Break or something and Dillon is over it. Happy for Alice but over
it. He can see Faith fraying around the edges and wonders how long it is going
to take before she puts a cap in someone. The only person having any luck with
her at all is Sam and thatís because itís his shooting gallery. If Faith
wasnít blowing off steam shooting targets everyday sheíd probably be shooting
something a little more animated. Of all the people to be grateful for,
Grandpa Edward had dragged Faith off this morning giving everyone a chance to
breathe. Ned is acting weird, like he has a secret or something, which is
something else putting Faith on edge. He is really getting to hate surprises
too but can feel in his gut that there are more on the way.

Off in their own world as they often are, even in a crowdĖ Maxie is astraddle
Kyle resting her hands on his shoulders while he has his hands slid into the
rear pockets of her jeans. "When I get done with you, youíre going to be
volunteering to carry all my bags." Maxie grinds against Kyle with a grin.

Kyle groans. "Tease. Iím not going to be able to walk."

"Yes." Maxie agrees with
a breathy whisper in his ear. "Guess we blew the plan
to break up as soon as school let out. Weíre going to have to stay together
all senior year now."

"Hell. What have I gotten myself into?" Kyle growls. Maxie is having too much
fun with this.

"Kyle?!" A familiar voice draws Kyleís attention.

His eyes go wide as he sees who is standing there. "Mom?"

Maxie practically swallows her tongue and Georgieís attention is fixed by
Kyleís answer. "Mom?!" Maxie half falls off Kyle but makes sure that sheís
standing half in front of him as Kyle surges to his feet. "Thatís your mom?"

"Yeah. Hey Mom. Long time no see."

"Babe, I just got a call from Maxie on Kyleís phone. Margery showed up at the
mall. Iím kicking everyone out now but it will be at least half an hour before
I get there. I hate to do this to you."

"Iím already on my way. They are still at the mall?" Cole can hear the sound
of the drawers being slammed and knows that Skye is gathering her stuff.

"As far as I know."

"Port Charles Grill. Go there. My family holds all their scenes there. The
staff is used to it."

"Right." Cole agrees. And he knows its to keep Margery away from the house.
Just like with Rae keeping the drama to neutral territory and away from their
safe place. "Iíll call him. Thanks Babe."

Cole grins. Skye had been wearing those shoes when she beat the tar out of
Kyle. He hits the speed dial on his phone and this time Kyle picks up. "Take
her, no-- meet her, at the Port Charles Grill. Skye reminded me thatís
where her family holds all of their scenes and as soon as your mother finds
out about the house she is going to throw one."

"You want me to call Marcos?" Kyle offers.

"Thatís your call, Kid."

The Law firm of Dara Jensen, et al is meeting for a late lunch at the Port
Charles Grill. Mary Bishop had made the reservations for the three of them. It
had ended up being later than Dara had thought but not later than the
reservation that Mary had made. Dara always got held up at the courthouse
complex because she always stopped by to see someone. It could be a client in
the jail, a judge in their chambers or someone in the DAís office that she was
keeping ties with. It made negotiations easier later but it made for a very
long day now.

"I called ahead once I knew you were done with court." Mary informs the others
not taking her eyes off the road. "There will be a table waiting with water
poured and salads dished, dressing on the side, when we get there."

"Excellent." Dara leans back in the passenger seat of the car. They are all
driving in Maryís beater car. It might be old but itís well maintained and has
room for all of them. "Sorry-- I got hung up at the courthouse."

"What else is new?" Gia interjects from the backseat. Sheíd cleared her
afternoon because she had to go by the campus. Classes are going to be
starting up again too darn quick.

The trip to the Grille is in nothing flat and Mary doesnít bother with the
valet parking. It just isnít worth the joyful giggles it gives to the parking
attendants. But a girl had to have priorities. Winter is coming and the cabin
needs new windows. Which will save on what is surely going to be huge heating
bills. Parking on the street near the hotel, the women gather their thingsĖ
Dara, her briefcase, Gia, a backpack and Mary her oversized purse. Then they
walk over to the hotel entrance not bothering to lock the car after them.
Because Maryís car is spotless, it is clear to anyone walking by that there is
absolutely nothing to steal.

Just as Mary promised they are immediately seated with their drinks and salads
in front of them. Dara spears some of her salad and before taking a bite nods
in Maryís direction. "Youíve called this meeting to discuss the state of the
business. You have the floor."

Because she wants to eat her salad too, Mary reaches down into her bag and
pulls out three copies of the meeting notes already written. She hands them
out and takes a quick bite of her salad. After chewing and allowing the
information to be digested she begins. "Weíre holding our heads above water
right now. Itís not the money. Plenty of clients and plenty of things to do
but youíre barely keeping up with everything that needs to get done, Dara.
Once Gia goes back to school youíre going to be losing 40-60 hours a week
there. You are already working beyond what is reasonable for one person; you
canít pick up that amount of workĖ even if you decided you didnít mind not
having a life. Gia will probably be able to hold onto most of the work
for the football team but even that is going to be exploding geometrically as
the bond measure comes up to a vote. Please look at page three."

"You canít afford not to." Gia counters quickly. "I know I dumped Alexisí
clients on you but she was a workaholic too, Dara. You know that. There is
already enough work for two more attorneys. This is lean really. Really lean.
But itís dealing with the practice growth. Youíre going to start losing
clients, Dara. All itís going to take is one big trial tying up your time.
Youíve been lucky that it hasnít happened already."

Dara sighs and shakes her head. "I know youíre right. Damn."

"And weíre going to need more space." Mary goes on to the next point. "A lot
of the stop gap measures can be up and running say... just after labor day.
That would give me time to get the phones, computers and supplies in. I would
contact the same temp agency get some paralegals, a receptionist. Thing is it
means a lot more traffic in the conference room/library so Gia is going to
need an office of her own."

"You didnít tell me that!" Gia flips to that part of the proposal. "Sweet."

"It wonít be as big as the space youíre in now but hopefully itíll be
quieter." Mary reminds. "There is space available on the same floor and I
touched base with the property manager when I was storming ideas for the
proposal. He seemed open to the suggestion of a little barter going on--
services for space. And he also seemed open to the idea of maybe managing the
properties Faith Ashton has been dropping on us."

"Oh I like that idea." Dara leans back and waits for the empty salad plates to
be taken away the drink refilled and the entrees slid right in front of them.
Then she leans forward. "Iíve been concerned somehow Faith is going to be
doing at least a little um... laundry through her real estate purchases and
would really like to get everything but the legal aspects away from our
office. Iíll do the contracts but I donít want to be the bookkeeper or the
landlord."

Mary nods and makes a note on her copy of the minutes. "This could be a nice
exchange of headaches. We take over their contracts and they take over the day
to day management. It also protects Mrs. Ashton from collecting her own rents."
There is a knowing look around the table.

"Uh oh." Gia looks at the doorway of the Port Charles Grille. She isnít super
familiar with Skye Quartermaine, knowing her by sight but she can tell by
looking at the woman that there appears to be steam coming out of her ears.

"Uh oh what?" Dara looks over her shoulder and sees Skye. Following Skyeís
gaze she sees something she hadnít observed when they arrived. Kyle and Maxie
are sitting with a woman more Daraís age. "Uh Oh." Dara agrees and then her
eyes go wide as Coleman arrives right after Skye. But if anything that has
brought Skyeís temperature down as she puts on a cool facade to deal with the
steam coming off of Coleman. Reaching down to the floor she grabs her
mini-recorder out of the side pocket and quickly puts in a new tape. "I think I
need a quick trip to the ladies. Excuse me." Dara walks to the entry and
brushes up against Skye and passes her the recorder. "Voice activated and
donít forget itís there." She keeps on walking.

"What was that about?" Coleman growls.

"Dara wants us to record the conversation. So youíve got to let Margery be the
one who loses it, Cole." Skye warns.

Over at General Hospital, Lydia looks up from her book as Michael comes out of
his appointment. "You have perfect timing. I just finished my chapter." She pats
the spot next to her on the waiting room couch. "Did it go well?"

Michael shrugs as he takes a seat. "I guess. I told Dr. Cam what you and AJ
heard from Grandma Bobbie. He thinks the Police should handle Ric too."

"Ric isnít important, darling." Lydia brushes a hand long Michaelís very tense
jaw. "Getting your mama back is the first priority. Right?"

"Right." Michael agrees with an emphatic nod.

"Good." Lydia puts her book back in her oversized bag. "Now help me up so we
can have Grandma Bobbie paged, say hello and then go get ice cream. The baby
has been wanting a blackberry shake all day."

"Kay." Michael agrees as he pops up from the couch and taking hold of Lydiaís
wrist gives her some unneeded assistance up. Together they walk over to the
nurses station to page Bobbie and make their next appointment.

The nurse is giving her an odd look. Since moving to Port Charles, Lydia has
started taking the odd looks of staff seriously. "Michael, will you call the
driver and tell him to meet us at the emergency room entrance today." Michael
is used to the way Lydia varied the entrances and exits every week. It made it
more fun when they drove by the other entrances and saw all the photographers
waiting for them. Lydia hands over her phone. Michael takes a couple of steps
away. Lydia steps nearer to the station. "Yes?"

The nurse leans in close and stage whispers the latest information. "Itís all
over the hospital. Bobbie is down in the ER. Carly was brought in by her
husband and Jason Morgan... it was about ten minutes ago."

"Michael! Wait! Tell the driver to get your father now and bring him to
the emergency room. We arenít going anywhere!"

"Is she hurt?" Michael worries even as he relays the message and hangs up the
phone, handing it back to Lydia.

"That is what we are about to find out." Lydia takes his hand. "Thank you."
She tells the nurse and they walk over to the elevators. "Hopefully itís just
a check up because she hasnít seen her doctor in so long. But it wouldnít
surprise me if the doctors want her to stay overnight even if she is perfectly
fine. They always want people to stay overnight."

Michael breathes a little easier. Even as he grips Lydiaís hand so tight that
her fingers are flushed with constricted blood. "Thatís true. Lydia, is your
baby going to be okay without the blackberry shake?" Itís a pitiful attempt at
distraction but he has to think about anything else than his mother being back
but sick.

Lydia considers his question carefully and frowns. "I believe so. But if your
mother is having tests or something I think we should have the shakes and
maybe dinner delivered here. We wonít want to leave until you get to see your
mother and really I do not want to eat hospital food."

"Mama would probably like a shake too."

"Excellent idea. Weíll ask your grandmother Bobbie if there is any reason why
she canít have one. If it looks like it is going to be awhile maybe you should
ask everyone what kind of shake they want. It wouldnít be kind to have ice
cream in front of them."

"Maybe Aunt Faithís guy Bruno could bring them over. He likes a girl at Baskin
Robbins and he goes there all the time."

"I think we should call the ice cream place ourselves and have the driver pick
up. Mr. Bruno is still very busy over at Aunt Faithís house because of those TV
people being there. If he helps us with the ice cream then the film people
will be following him around here rather than being stuck outside with
all the photographers."

"Oh. Okay." Michael sees the sense in that and nods.

As they step off the elevator to the corridor that leads to the ER, Lydiaís
phone rings. She looks at the number. "Itís your fatherís cell phone. He must
already be on his way here." She clicks open the phone. "Are you on your way?"

"Yes, what is going on? The message seemed garbled."

"Then you know as much as we do. The hospital grapevine let us know Carly was
brought into the ER. Michael and I are on our way to find his grandmother to
see what is happening."

"Iíll be there in ten minutes."

"Good. Drive safely, AJ."

"Iím not driving." AJ laughs ruefully as he looks over at Lydiaís driver
capably handling the hummer as if he was born driving an army tank. Course the
guy probably was. "Iíll be there soon. Give Michael a kiss for me."

"I will." Lydia hangs up the phone and puts it back in her bag. Leaning over
she gives Michael a kiss on the top of the head. "That is from your father. He
is going to be here in ten minutes. Then we can all wait together while they
donít tell us anything."

"You really donít think theyíll tell us anything?" Michael wonders.

"They will probably talk to your mamaís husband. But to us-- no. You are a
child and Iím your motherís ex-husbandís new wifeĖ not exactly a close
relationship. So we shall have to be very quiet, listen carefully and do
nothing that will draw attention to us."

Michael nods knowingly and adds a cagey grin. "Mama does that all the time.
Right on the top of the stairs." His grip eases slightly on Lydiaís hand even
though he doesnít let go. This is something he knows how to do.

"I should have gone to the hospital." Skye curls into Coleman. He gives the
glider another little push and rests his chin on the top of Skyeís head. "AJ
could probably use a friend, a sister, right now." They look out toward the
lake where the sun is finally starting to go down.

"His wife is there. And if heís smart heís already home too tucking his kid
into bed." Coleman counters. "Sorry to say Iíve already given you a full
plate. I cannot believe that bitch shows up now like it was all planned like
weíre running a fucking summer camp out here."

"Cole." Skye sighs. "You donít know..." Skye stops at Coleís pulling back and
giving her an incredulous look.. "Okay, you donít know for sure what
she is doing."

Cole growls. "I never thought Iíd be saying this but Iím glad the kid went to
CPS. It was real easy to tell Margery she didnít have squat and if she tried
anything with the kid sheíd be busted for kidnapping. That if she wanted
anything she could just contact Marcos. I am not going to make it easy for
her. Sheís back probably expecting to get her house back, hell have me buy new
furniture for her and start making payments again! One bullet is my limit."

"Sheís an adult. Sheís got a problem." Skye tries to say all the right things
and then groans. "And I so totally agree. I just wanted to rip her hair out."
Skye takes a deep breath and counts to ten. Then continues on to twenty. "Itís
not about her. Itís about Kyle and what Kyle wants and needs."

Kyle who had been listening to everything from inside the house comes out and
leans up against the railing. "You think that is really going to matter now
that sheís back? She was talking like..." Kyle snaps his finger. "And
everything was going to be back to normal. She called it normal." Kyle
snorts and there isnít a hint of humor in his laugh.

Skye looks from one stubborn male to the other. She closes her eyes and leans
into Coleman. "Your mother is not the definer of normal. Hell not one of us is
in the dictionary under the definition of normal either." Skye pets Colemanís
thigh. "Whatever happens we can make it work. Just because sheís back doesnít
mean Cole isnít your uncle. That Iím not..."

"Keeping us both in line." Kyle offers with a grin.

"Thanks." Skye shakes her head. "Kyle, I canít be around her. Not if sheís
using. Iím sorry if that is hypocritical because Iím still around my family
and Cole, and they drink. Iím so sorry because it means youíre running
interference for me when I should be running interference for you."

Kyleís posture is defensive as he slouches against the railing and crosses his
arms in front of him. He nods. "Iím not a little kid, Skye. I donít want you
guys to get in trouble because of me." Kyle looks from one to the other and
knows that is a very real possibility. Uncle Cole is an equal opportunity kind
a guy and if Mom was stupid enough, or high enough, to physically come after
Uncle Cole... well Uncle Cole wouldnít let something like hitting a girl slow
him down. And Skye... He already knows her temper is fierce. "I know Ms. Jensen
wants the tape of what Mom was saying at the Grille. But I think Ms. Marcos
needs to hear it first."

"She can have it transcribed and then we can give the original to Marcos."
Skye offers as a compromise. "I think we can get the tape back from Dara,
Kyle. I really donít think Marcos would give it back."